Wheel trim securing means



Oct. 13, 1942. Y WOOD I I WHEEL TRIM SECURING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1942 INVENTOR. W

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I ;ATTO NEY Oct. 13, 1942. E. L. WOOD 2,298,669

WHEEL TRIM SECURING MEANS Filed Feb. 4, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W /25 I0 '///Z I INVENTOR. 2/ BY fflWA/PD L. W000 V l 4: Z? 1/ TOR/WE) Patented Oct. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEEL TRIM SECURING MEANS Edward L. Wood, Detroit, Mich.

Application February 4, 1942, Serial No. 429,482

Claims.

This invention relates to means for securing ornamental wheel trim to vehicle wheels independent of the hub cap.

Because of ill fitting and eccentrically fitting hub caps on motor vehicle wheels much difficulty has been encountered with securing ornamental wheel trim discs to the wheel by means of the hub cap. As engineered by the motor car manufacturer, the hub cap of a vehicle wheel presumably fits the wheel concentrically and is held on the wheel by its inner annular rib which is engaged by a plurality of retainer springs provided on the wheel. In some instances nibs formed in the wheel opposite each retainer spring guide the hub cap as it is being snapped in place over the retainer springs.

Because of the fact that the hub cap is formed of extremely light material and because the retainer springs need be relatively light to admit of ease in the removal of the hub cap from the wheel, both the hub cap and the retainer springs easily become bent out of shape and out of concentricity with respect to the wheel. Also, some of the retainer springs become weakened and 1 bent out of shape by careless use.

When the retainer springs become weakened or deformed out of place, many hub caps are lost and many hub caps become located eccentric with respect to the wheel causing the wheel to become out of dynamic balance.

When ornamental discs or the like are held in place by the hub cap, the retainer springs become less effective and overloaded, and, coupled with the difiiculties normally encountered when the retainer springs become weakened and deformed, both the ornamental disc and the hub cap may be lost.

Furthermore, When ornamental discs or the like are held on the wheel of an automobile by the hub cap, the said ornamental discs come off the wheel when the hub is removed for the purpose of removing the vehicle wheel from the brake drum assembly to which the said wheel is usually secured. This is undesirable because it entails the handling of the ornamental discs each time the hub cap is removed from the wheel, and because the ornamental discs become readily sub ject to theft upon removal of the hub cap.

With the foregoing in view, one object of the invention is to provide means for securing ornamental wheel trim to a vehicle wheel independent of the hub cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for securing ornamental wheel trim to a vehicle wheel independent of the hub cap combined with means for reinforcing and equalizing hub cap retainer springs.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for securing ornamental wheel trim to a vehicle wheel independent of the hub cap which simultaneously prevents rotation of the said wheel trim from rotating with respect to said wheel.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyi'ng drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a vehicle wheel and an ornamental wheel trim disc showing the invention applied to the hub cap retainer springs of the said vehicle wheel and holding the said ornamental disc in place on the said wheel, a portion of the said ornamental disc being broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of'Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a vehicle wheel, tire, hub cap, and ornamental wheel trim disc showing the invention applied to the hub cap retainer springs and securing the said ornamental disc to the said wheel.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of a combined ornamental wheel trim disc securing means and retainer spring reinforcing and equalizing means embodying the invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in perspective showing a preferred type .of clip engageable on retainer spring reinforcing and equalizing means employed to secure ornamental wheel trim to a vehicle wheel.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed comprises a plurality of spring metal clips [0 engageable on an equalizing spring H- preferably formed of round spring wire in a single plane to a more or less elliptical shape with the open ends thereof oppositely disposed. The said equalizing spring H is formed to such proportions that it may be compressed into a circular form as indicated by the dot and dash lines I H1 in Fig. 5 and positioned radially behind the hub cap retainer spring l2 of the vehicle wheel I3 as indicated in Figs. 1, 2. 3 and 4. When positioned behind the hub cap retainer springs I2, the said equalizing spring H exerts substantially uniform radially outward pressure on the said hub cap retainer springs I2,

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the hub cap retainer springs I2 of the particular wheel construction I3 employed to illustrate the invention are secured by a rivet It to the rear of the wheel l3 at intervals around the central dished portion I5 thereof and extend axially outward through suitable rectangular apertures I6. The said hub cap retainer springs I2 are formed axially outward of the wheel I3 to extend first radially and diagonally outward at I1 and then radially and diagonally inward at I8 to provide detents I8 tightly to the equalizing spring II and are suitably curved at I02 to fit the contour of the central dished portion I5 of the vehicle wheel I3 and engage the inner periphery of an ornamental wheel trim disc 32 disposed over the said wheel I3. The said spring metal clips I0 are so looped at I03 as to provide a re-entrant space I04 to accommodate the annular rib 2i of the hub cap 20 when placed on the wheel I3, thus avoiding any interference with the holding of the hub cap 20 on the vehicle wheel I3 by means of the hub cap retainer springs I2 usually employed. It will be noted that the loop I03 of the spring clip I0 is located at a suilicient distance from the equalizing spring engaging loop IOI as to prevent clockwise rotation of the said metal clips as viewed in Fig. 3 with respect to the equalizing spring II. The equalizing spring II employed to equalize and strengthen the hub cap retainer springs I2 constantly urges the said wheel trim holding clips I0 against the central dished portion I5 of the vehicle wheel I3 with the inner peripheral portion of the wheel trim disc 32 therebetween, the said equalizing spring II creating initial compression in the spring metal wheel trim holding clips I0 by causing them to bend from their normal shape as indicated by the dot and dash lines I000 in Fig. 3 to the full line showing therein.

The wheel I3 shown to illustrate the invention comprises an annular body portion or hub 22 dished at I5 and formed with protuberances 23 to provide spaced fiat portions to accommodate the riveting of the hub cap retainer springs I2 to the said wheel I3. Circumferentially spaced between the said protuberances 23 are provided become bent, distorted and weakened through use or carelessness in putting the hub cap 20 on the wheel I3 and taking it 05 the said wheel I3. Also, inaccuracies of manufacture sometimes cause the hub cap. retainer springs I2 to be out of place or shape suificiently to create a condltion of eccentricity rather than concentricity of the hub cap with respect to the wheel I3.

When the said hub cap retainer springs I2 are weakened, distorted, or otherwise deformed out of shape, oftimes only a fraction of the total number of hub cap retainer springs I2 employed are of any material use in holding the hub cap 20 onto the wheel I3. The hub cap 20 is then either held in place by the retainer springs I2 eccentric with respect to the wheel I3 or the said hub cap 20 is not held in place sufliciently firm to avoid its loss when the automobile wheel is driven over bumps or rough terrain.

The said hub cap retainer springs l2 are equalized suificiently in both resiliency and concentricity and are uniformly strengthened by employing an equalizing spring II disposed radially inside or behind the detent I9 of the said hub cap retainer springs I2 whereby to assure positive holding and substantial concentricity of the hub cap 20 on the vehicle wheel I3.

Any number of spring clips I0 may be employed on the equalizing spring II to secure the omamentai wheel trim 32 in place on the wheel independent of the hub cap 20. The loop IOI of each spring clip I0 is preferablyiormed tangent with respect to the curved equalizing spring I I to prevent it from sliding along the said equalizing spring II whereby to admit of one or more of the said spring clips I2 coming in contact with during the operation of a motor vehicle equipped therewith. To assure the prevention of any material creeping above referred to, it is preferable wheel stud apertures 24 which accommodatewheel studs 25 carried by the brake drum assembly 26. Nuts 21 threaded on the said wheel studs 25 secure the said wheel to the brake drum assembly 26, see Fig. 4. The said wheel I3 has a drop center rim 28 riveted to the peripheral flange 220 of the annular body portion 22 thereof. The said drop center rim 20 accommodates the usual tire 29 and tube 30. Nibs 3I are preferably formed on the annular body portion or hub 22 of the wheel I3 opposite each hub cap retainer spring to aid in guiding the hub cap 20 concentrically over the hub cap retainer springs I2.

Clearance is usually provided between the hub cap 20 and the nibs 3| which admits of the hub cap 20 becoming eccentric with respect to the wheel I3 when the hub cap retainer springs I2 that one of the spring clips I0 be positioned in contact with or closely adjacent to opposite sides of circumferentially adjacent hub cap retainer springs I2.

The corners I05 of the spring clips I0 are preferably turned diagonally downward to engage the inner peripheral portion of the ornamental wheel trim disc 32 and prevent it from creeping with respect to the wheel I3 during operation of the motor vehicle.

Obviously, means for securing ornamental wheel trim to vehicle wheels independent of the hub cap embodying the invention may be applied readily to many other types of automobile wheels than the specific type shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention.

The invention provides means for securing ornamental wheel trim rings to standard vehicle wheels independent of the hub cap as a securing means and without the use of tools or welding whereby to admit of persons unskilled in the use of tools or without tools to secure ornamental wheel trim to a vehicle wheel without employing the hub cap as a securing means.

-Although but one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in the drawings and described herein, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, arrangement and detail of the various elements of the invention without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably.

hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and secure the same to said vehicle wheel.

2. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circuinferentially spaced radially resilient detent type hub cap retainer springs to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a. radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient metal wheel trim holding clips.

anchored on said equalizing spring formed to engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and removably secure the said wheel trim disc to said wheel.

3. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circumierentially spaced radially resilient hub cap retainer springs bent radially outward and inward forming detents to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of the detents of the said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality oi circumierentially spaced wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to .engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and secure the same to said vehicle wheel. i

4. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced radially resilient hub cap retainer springs bent radially outward and inward forming detents to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect; to said wheel when disposed radially inward of the detents oi the said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumierentially spaced resilient metal wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and removably secure the said wheel trim disc to said wheel.

5. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circumierentially spaced radially resilient detent type hub cap retainer springs to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to fit the contour of the vehicle wheel and engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc, the said wheel trim holding clips being so looped as to engage the wheel structure whereby to prevent rotation of said clips with respect to the said equalizing spring after the said clips engage said ornamental wheel trim disc.

6. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circumierentially spaced radially resilient detent type hub cap retainer springs to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a .radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient metal wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and removably secure the said wheel trim disc to said wheel, the said resilient wheel trim holding clips being so looped as to engage the wheel structure whereby to prevent rotation of said clips with respect to the said equalizing spring after the said clips engage said ornamental wheel trim disc.

7. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circumierentially spaced radially resilient hub cap retainer springs bent radially outward and inward forming detents to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of the detents oi the said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumierentially spaced wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to fit the contour of the vehicle wheel and engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc. the said wheel trim holding clips being so looped as to engage the wheel structure whereby to prevent rotation of said clips with respect to the said equalizing spring after the said clips engage said ornamental wheel trim disc.

8. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced radially resilient hub cap retainer springs bent radially outward and inward forming detents to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of the detents of the said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient metal wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to engage the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and removably secure the said wheel trim disc to said wheel, the said resilient wheel trim holding clips being so looped as to engage the wheel structure whereby to prevent rotation of said clips with respect to the said equalizing spring after the said clips engage said ornamental wheel trim disc.

-9. Means for securing annular ornamental wheel trim discs to vehicle wheels employing a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced radially resilient hub cap retainer springs bent radially outward and inward forming detents to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably 'hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annnular equalizing spring axially and circumferentially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of the detents of the said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to overlap the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and secure the same to said vehicle wheel, the corners of said wheel trim holding clips overlapping the wheel trim being bent diagonally against said wheel trim whereby to engage the said wheel trim and prevent circumferential creeping of the said wheel trim with respect to the vehicle wheel.

10. Means for securing annular ornamental multiplicity of circumferentially spaced radially resilient hub cap retainer springs bent radially outward and inward forming detents to engage the hub cap of said wheel and removably hold it thereon comprising a radially resilient substantially annular equalizing spring axially and circumferentially anchored with respect to said wheel when disposed radially inward of the detents of the said hub cap retainer springs and expanded radially outward thereagainst, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient metal wheel trim holding clips anchored on said equalizing spring formed to overlap the inner periphery of the said annular ornamental wheel trim disc and removably secure the said wheel trim disc to said wheel, the corners of said wheel trim holding clips overlapping the wheel trim being bent diagonally against said wheel trim whereby to engage the said wheel trim and prevent circumferential creeping of the said wheel trim with respect to the vehicle wheel.

EDWARD L. WOOD.

' P atent No. 2, 298,669.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

October 15, '19u2. EDWARD L. woon.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, line 14.1, after the word 'hub" insert --cap--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case. in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of December, A, 1:. 191m.

- Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

